Read Online Woven Wishes (Whispered Wishes Book 4) by Karen Pokras - Free Book Online
Authors: Karen Pokras
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asked, shifting Ryan to her other arm in order to return his handshake.
“Yes. I’m in town for an exhibit of my own. Nothing this grand, of course, just a small showing at a local gallery. You’re familiar with my work, then?”
“I am,” she stated, smiling. How funny, after all these years. “I’m Ava. Ava Wallis. I used to run the Silver Leaf Gallery in California. You probably don’t remember, but I helped arrange a big exhibit of yours about eight years ago. We never actually got a chance to meet face-to-face. I left town just before the exhibit ran, but I think we probably had about fifty phone conversations trying to set up all the details.”
“Yes, of course I remember you, Ava. I was so disappointed when you told me you were leaving town. The exhibit was one of my best, thanks to your hard work. Well now, it certainly is a small world and a pleasure to finally meet.”
“It is,” Ava agreed, thinking how Gregory was nothing like she’d pictured all those years ago. She knew he was a bit older than her, but he gave off a much younger and hip persona with his stylish salt and pepper hair and tortoise shell glasses. He could easily be a model, especially with his flawless skin and sparkling green eyes. Not to mention his infectious smile, which she instantly returned. Suddenly, she realized her focus on his appearance left her completely distracted and at a loss for words. “Um … so—”
“Mama, I’m hungry,” Ryan interrupted, bringing Ava back into reality.
“Yes, sweetie,” she said, shaking her head slightly, as if trying to remove any improper thoughts. “Well, Gregory, this was quite a surprise. It was a pleasure to finally meet, and again, thank you for watching out for my son.”
“Actually, I was just about to go grab a bite to eat myself. Would you two care to join me?” he asked.
It was an innocent question, yet if felt so very dangerous to Ava. Despite the response she wanted to give, she shook her head and lied, “No, thank you. We’re meeting friends.”
“Well, maybe another time then.” Reaching into his pocket, Gregory pulled out a postcard and handed it to her. “Shameless promotion, I know, but here’s the information about my exhibit. The opening is in a few weeks. I came early to catch this show. I’m a big fan of Henri’s. Anyway, it was a pleasure to finally meet, and I hope you can make it over to the gallery for the opening.”
“Thank you,” Ava said, her eyes darting from the card back to his face. “I’d love to be there.” This time, she wasn’t lying.
“Great, I look forward to seeing you.” His eyes lingered on her long enough for her to feel her blush return, before he turned toward Ryan and patted him on the back. “I enjoyed our chat, little man. Maybe one day I’ll have a chance to show you some of my paintings.”
“Bye, mista,” Ryan said.
“Good-bye,” he chuckled.
Ava watched as Gregory left the exhibit before she put Ryan down beside her, still clutching his hand. In fact, she didn’t think she’d be letting go of his hand anytime soon.
“You know him, Mama?” Ryan asked.
“I used to, a long time ago.” She was still looking at the doorway Gregory had just walked through. “In another life,” she added with a whisper.
Chapter 14 - Holly
“Are you sure you’re doing okay?”
Holly forced herself to smile even though Ava couldn’t see her on the other side of the telephone. It was an old trick her mother had taught her. No matter what your mood, if you were able to smile, your voice would come across as happy. She’d used it many times over the years, particularly during the time Ben was dating that floozy Michelle Floyd.
“Yes. Ben and I had a long talk this morning. I’m feeling much better now. Oh hey, remember that cabin I was telling you about?”
“The one you guys were going to go to this summer?” Ava asked.
“Mmm hmm. Ben’s boss told him it’s just been sitting up in the
“Yes. I’m in town for an exhibit of my own. Nothing this grand, of course, just a small showing at a local gallery. You’re familiar with my work, then?”
“I am,” she stated, smiling. How funny, after all these years. “I’m Ava. Ava Wallis. I used to run the Silver Leaf Gallery in California. You probably don’t remember, but I helped arrange a big exhibit of yours about eight years ago. We never actually got a chance to meet face-to-face. I left town just before the exhibit ran, but I think we probably had about fifty phone conversations trying to set up all the details.”
“Yes, of course I remember you, Ava. I was so disappointed when you told me you were leaving town. The exhibit was one of my best, thanks to your hard work. Well now, it certainly is a small world and a pleasure to finally meet.”
“It is,” Ava agreed, thinking how Gregory was nothing like she’d pictured all those years ago. She knew he was a bit older than her, but he gave off a much younger and hip persona with his stylish salt and pepper hair and tortoise shell glasses. He could easily be a model, especially with his flawless skin and sparkling green eyes. Not to mention his infectious smile, which she instantly returned. Suddenly, she realized her focus on his appearance left her completely distracted and at a loss for words. “Um … so—”
“Mama, I’m hungry,” Ryan interrupted, bringing Ava back into reality.
“Yes, sweetie,” she said, shaking her head slightly, as if trying to remove any improper thoughts. “Well, Gregory, this was quite a surprise. It was a pleasure to finally meet, and again, thank you for watching out for my son.”
“Actually, I was just about to go grab a bite to eat myself. Would you two care to join me?” he asked.
It was an innocent question, yet if felt so very dangerous to Ava. Despite the response she wanted to give, she shook her head and lied, “No, thank you. We’re meeting friends.”
“Well, maybe another time then.” Reaching into his pocket, Gregory pulled out a postcard and handed it to her. “Shameless promotion, I know, but here’s the information about my exhibit. The opening is in a few weeks. I came early to catch this show. I’m a big fan of Henri’s. Anyway, it was a pleasure to finally meet, and I hope you can make it over to the gallery for the opening.”
“Thank you,” Ava said, her eyes darting from the card back to his face. “I’d love to be there.” This time, she wasn’t lying.
“Great, I look forward to seeing you.” His eyes lingered on her long enough for her to feel her blush return, before he turned toward Ryan and patted him on the back. “I enjoyed our chat, little man. Maybe one day I’ll have a chance to show you some of my paintings.”
“Bye, mista,” Ryan said.
“Good-bye,” he chuckled.
Ava watched as Gregory left the exhibit before she put Ryan down beside her, still clutching his hand. In fact, she didn’t think she’d be letting go of his hand anytime soon.
“You know him, Mama?” Ryan asked.
“I used to, a long time ago.” She was still looking at the doorway Gregory had just walked through. “In another life,” she added with a whisper.
Chapter 14 - Holly
“Are you sure you’re doing okay?”
Holly forced herself to smile even though Ava couldn’t see her on the other side of the telephone. It was an old trick her mother had taught her. No matter what your mood, if you were able to smile, your voice would come across as happy. She’d used it many times over the years, particularly during the time Ben was dating that floozy Michelle Floyd.
“Yes. Ben and I had a long talk this morning. I’m feeling much better now. Oh hey, remember that cabin I was telling you about?”
“The one you guys were going to go to this summer?” Ava asked.
“Mmm hmm. Ben’s boss told him it’s just been sitting up in the
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